Virtual Reality Improving the Holiday Experience for Many People

In the early 1920s, airplanes began trailing banners as an innovative new form of advertising. Today, although aerial ads are still popular, one significant advancement in technology is revolutionizing the marketing industry.

Many people have been interested in virtual reality over the last few years, but the technology has only recently become mainstream. Thanks to some innovative new virtual reality features, it’s now possible to tour New York City’s holiday display from anywhere in the world or take a ride on Santa’s sleigh.

Creativity-Online reports that Gear VR, a Samsung product with 4D virtual reality, lets users go on a virtual sleigh ride with the one and only Santa Claus. The experience, based on “The Night Before Christmas,” will take place at Herald Square, The Grove in Los Angeles, and Samsung 837, the brand’s digital center in Manhattan’s Meatpacking District. The program will go from now until the New Year.

Santa, who will be voiced by James Cosmo of “Game of Thrones,” will take users on a joyride above the Pyramids in Egypt, across Tokyo, and even outer space.

Another program, Window Wonderland, makes it possible for people who can’t otherwise visit to NYC’s Fifth Avenue during the holidays to experience the wonderful and festive displays.

Adweek reports that Google has partnered with dozens of retailers to create the virtual reality experience that allows a user to explore the beauty of holiday displays at Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, and various other retailers.

“With all of the artistry and time that goes into creating these holiday windows, we want to open them up to the whole world,” said Aman Govil, head of Google’s Art, Copy and Code projects team.

Google’s projects team took hundreds of high-resolution photos at 18 NYC retailers and uses Google Cardboard or Google View to connect the users to the visuals.

“This partnership captures a unique retail tradition,” said Serena Potter, group vice president of digital media strategy for Macy’s. “And with technology, many more, who are not able to experience their beauty first-hand, are able to collectively experience this New York holiday tradition online.”